Capability-Based Industrial System Modeling for Vendor Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial systems composed of diverse components and processes from different vendors complicate modeling, leading to awkward system foundations that constrain end-users in configuration and implementation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an object-based system model with SmartObjects that represent industrial assets, allowing for rule-based interactions and inheritance of changes, enabling end-users to define and enforce relationships within the system model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional system models are used to represent industrial systems with diverse components from different vendors, then the system model can be constructed, but the modeling becomes awkward and complex, constraining end-users in configuration and implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the industrial system into distinct capability modules, where each capability represents a specific function or process (e.g., mixing, heating, storage). These capability objects can be independently selected, configured, and combined, allowing end-users to build system models by assembling only the necessary capabilities rather than dealing with monolithic complex models from different vendors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal capability object framework that can represent diverse industrial components and processes from different vendors through a common interface. Each capability object encapsulates multiple aspects (process description, control parameters, physical properties) in a standardized structure, enabling versatile modeling of various industrial assets while maintaining consistency across the system model.
2Adaptability or versatility
If system models include various combinations of control types, automated processes, and manual processes from different vendors, then the system can accommodate diverse industrial assets, but the foundation becomes awkward and complicates configuration and implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter-based capability objects that can dynamically adapt to represent different control types (continuous, discrete, batch), automated processes, and manual processes through configurable parameters rather than requiring separate model structures. This allows the same capability framework to accommodate diverse vendor assets by changing parameters rather than changing the fundamental model structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The capability object serves as an intermediary layer between diverse vendor-specific components and the unified system model. Each capability object acts as a mediator that translates vendor-specific control types, automated processes, and manual processes into a common representation, simplifying configuration and implementation while maintaining vendor compatibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for modeling capabilities within system models of industrial systems. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive a request for a system model of an industrial system associated with a set of components. The electronic processor is also configured to access system data associated with the industrial system. The electronic processor is also configured to generate, based on at least the system data, a system model such that the system model includes a set of capabilities associated with the industrial system, wherein each capability included in the set of capabilities is associated with a function of the industrial system. The electronic processor is also configured to enable transmission of the system model for display.